Official Visit to South Africa of Alain Juppé Minister for Foreign and European Affairs (10-11 November 2011)

The first day of the official visit by Minister Juppé has been concluded. After arriving early on Thursday morning Minister Juppé travelled to Johannesburg and met with the ANC Secretary General, Gwede Mantashe. After an in depth discussion on issues of interest to both France and South Africa across the African continent, Minister Juppé travelled to Soweto. In Soweto the Minister was welcomed to Hlakaniphani Junior Primary School, where the Valued Citizens Initiative is working to provide teaching materials and programmes that will encourage learners to respect themselves and one-another.

After lunch in Nambitha restaurant on Vilakazi Street the delegation was given a tour of Mandela House. Minister Juppé was then given a tour of the Dube Branch of Capitec Bank. Capitec has been receiving significant support from the French Development Agency (AFD) and the Minister was informed about the low income segment which Capitec targets and caters for. From there the Minister and his delegation were shown a project run by Jo’burg Water called Gcin’Amanzi (which is also supported by the AFD) which entails installing pre-paid water meters in the Johannesburg area.

In the afternoon the Minister returned to Johannesburg, this time travelling to the new French Institute of South Africa (IFAS) premises in Braamfontein, which he and Executive Mayor of Johannesburg, Parks Tau, officially inaugurated. Then the Minister gave a conference at the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) on “The New Global Governance” and answered questions.

Later in the day, Minister Juppé paid a courtesy call to President Zuma. The final engagement of the Minsiter was a reseption with the French Community at the residence of the French Ambassador.